Driver in fatal wrong-way Pike crash pleads not guilty

Thursday

Jan 23, 2014 at 6:00 AMJan 23, 2014 at 1:48 PM

By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTERó A Leominster man who allegedly caused a fatal crash July 21 while driving drunk and the wrong way on the Massachusetts Turnpike in Auburn pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday in Worcester Superior Court.

Dwayne A. Blackman, 33, of 1000 Brooks Pond Road, Apt. 111, Leominster, was released on previously posted $5,000 cash bail after entering not-guilty pleas to charges of manslaughter by motor vehicle, motor vehicle homicide while driving drunk and recklessly or negligently, motor vehicle homicide by negligent driving, driving so as to endanger, driving without a license and failing to stop for a police officer.

The accident, which resulted in the death of 66-year-old Kathleen A. Borngesser of Toms River, N.J., occurred sometime after 4:30 a.m. July 21 on the turnpike in Auburn, according to state police. Mr. Blackman and two others were injured, police said.

Investigators said state police began pursuing Mr. Blackman's BMW after a toll collector at the Sturbridge exit from Interstate 84 reported a car going in the wrong direction on the westbound ramp to the turnpike (Interstate 90).

State police soon came upon a fiery crash involving the BMW, a minivan that was in flames and a third vehicle, a silver Honda. Ms. Borngesser, the sole occupant of the minivan, was found inside the vehicle and died as a result of her injuries, police said.

Mr. Blackman and two Weymouth women who were in the Honda suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to investigators.

Mr. Blackman was represented at the arraignment by lawyer James J. Gribouski. Assistant District Attorney Julianne Richard is prosecuting the case.

Judge James R. Lemire released Mr. Blackman on the $5,000 cash bail and continued his case to March 10.

As conditions of his release, Mr. Blackman was ordered to remain drug and alcohol-free and not to drive.